Collaboration as a governance strategy for Integrated Water Resource Management: An evaluation of two watershed partnerships in the SIDS of Jamaica

This dissertation utilizes the Institutional Analysis and Development framework to examine the role that collaboration plays as a governance strategy for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The study utilizes a case-study approach by analyzing implementation efforts by two Jamaican watershed partnerships in the SIDS Caribbean: the Great River Watershed Management Committee (GRWMC) and the White River Watershed Management Committee (WRWMC). The research developed, from the literature and through a participatory process, a framework for evaluating watershed partnerships. The research methodology utilized was Participatory Action Research. The research examined the requirements for good governance in collaborative watershed partnerships and evaluated the theoretical, methodological and practical implications for IWRM.;Ongoing dialogue and deliberations help in sharing of knowledge, building trust and reciprocity (social capital) and sharing power and authority. Social capital is an important resource that can advance IWRM imperatives by using the existing relationships and adding resources (knowledge, skills, funds). Collaborative partnerships will generally involve large group size and diverse interests which must not be stifled through representation and limitation of numbers actively involved. Instead, structures such as watershed clusters and sub-committees help to address these challenges, once appropriate rules are in place to counter further marginalization and power differentials. A nested structure is also important where each scale of management acts complimentarily. This is possible with strong communication and information flows. Rounds of dialogue enhance the knowledge base for decision making and this is supported by ongoing information feedback loops through an adaptive management approach that helps to build more robust institutions for IWRM. Collaboration offers a unique opportunity for diverse and often conflicting interests to work together, pooling resources and knowledge that would otherwise be unavailable to anyone stakeholder.;Despite the ongoing challenges associated with implementing IWRM collaboration has utility as a strategy for governance. Requirements for good governance that were particularly important included: higher levels of participation of the broader stakeholders from the onset and use of a modified circle process for dialogue; understanding the complexities of the water resource system; collaborative learning and planning; defining scale of appropriate management; adaptive management; social capital; and knowledge exchange and power sharing.